Charlotte Royle’s Reviews > The Sword of Kaigen > Status Update

This is such an interesting conclusion. I was wondering how it would all wrap up because SO MUCH HAPPENED AND EVERYTHING WAS GOING TERRIBLY but this is so bittersweet and beautiful. I’m loving each and every character and I’m so attached to all of the matsuda’s now - even takeru, I didn’t think that was going to be possible. I love how detailed it goes into how the village rebuilds and what the priorities are

Wow.

I feel bad for my hate filled review on takashi now BUT I don’t respect that character. I don’t hate him, but I am so sad and frustrated that he chose to send Takeru back to the village instead of mamoru. Like… one person doesn’t have to go back- send THEM BOTH BACK IF YOU THINK THAT WHOEVER STAYS WILL DIE. And takeru- why did YOU ABANDON YOUR SON. YOU KNEW HE WOULD DIE if he stayed on the mountain->You=💩

My heart is in pieces right now. The death scene itself was beautifully written and almost peaceful but the heartbreaking violence of the village , loss of loved ones and the aftermath were gut wrenching. I’m a mess of tears now at 2am.

And it feels similar to the events in Palestine right now. The brutality of war, the loss of loved ones and the troops that are sent in to “help” but really are self serving.

I’m loving this book so far. I do NOT like Takashi so far and can just tell his desire to go to war, and his lack of leadership will get mamoru killed. I’m actually so scared for this 14 year old CHILD. He’s going to die…